DE69601996T3 - VEHICLE SEAT AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREOF - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Environment of the invention

These The invention relates generally to vehicle seats, and more particularly to vehicle seats with backrests as well as leg and footrests with Power drive.

description of the prior art

Vehicle seats, as they are installed, for example in airplanes and trains include usually a large part horizontal thigh and buttocks support (hereinafter thigh support) as well a backrest, which is around an axis at the back the thigh support can tilt. The backrest let yourself from the upright position over tilting backwards several steps, to a large extent horizontal position is reached. Vehicle seats also include often legrests that can be adjusted around an axle at the front of the thigh support. The leg support let yourself thereby from a largely vertical rest or storage position on various stages of use in a largely horizontal position in which they are fully deployed is. In the intermediate stages as well as in the fully extended position supports the legrest the lower legs of an average sized passenger about the knee to the ankle. If a passenger wants to sleep, let yourself the backrest in the very inclined position and the legrest in the perfectly stretched Move position. In this situation, the seat acts as a cozy Roost. Extravagant Seats, such as those in the 1st class of aircraft are set up, also include a Footrest that with the legrest connected is. Let such footrests usually from a retracted rest position behind the Legrest over various Move intermediate stages to a fully extended position. In a Extended deployment the footrest effectively the length the legrest, So that the leg support next to the lower half of the Legs also the passenger's feet supported. There are several reasons why not use a longer legrest which also supports the feet. So to wish For example, not all passengers that their feet are supported. Next, the length of the leg support less than the distance between the hinge axis on the thigh support and be the vehicle floor with which the seat is anchored. A legrest that longer executed as this distance would, would become not in their mostly Swing back the vertical rest position because they hit the ground before reaching this position.

When another possibility at luxurious Sitting becomes common lumbar support used. Such lumbar supports can be conventionally over a length of backrest up and down as well as in the direction of the backrest and move away from it. Many vehicle seats, including the Extravagant seats described above also include Power-driven electromechanical actuators with which the backrest and the legrest as well the foot and lumbar supports, if such are present, brought into the position desired by the passenger become. Such self-propelled seats usually include a control panel with different buttons. Adjusting wheels or other controls associated with the moving parts of the Seat related. For example, if a key belonging to the backrest is pressed, closes a switch, which makes the backrest slow tilts until the button is released or the backrest their complete has reached an inclined position. Similarly, the backrest moves slowly up again, if another button belonging to the backrest is pressed, until either the switch is released or the backrest has reached her upright position. The other moving parts of the seat will be on similar Way controlled.

US-A-5 352,020 describes a legrest that is installed in the frame of an aircraft seat, the first and second leg support plates includes, which are slidably attached together. A first hydraulic Actuator rotates the first plate relative to the seat frame, and a second Actuator moves the second plate relative to the first plate. These Actuators are controlled separately.

However, there are some disadvantages associated with the conventional vehicle seats described above. Passengers often return the leg rest to the rest position before returning the foot rest to its rest position. Since the total length of the legrest and the extended footrest exceeds the distance between the axis of rotation at the front of the thigh support and the vehicle floor, the footrest will hit the ground before the legrest reaches its rest position. As a result, the seats are frequently damaged. Another disadvantage of the conventional vehicle seats is related to the number of steps required to set up the sleeping position in which the backrest is fully inclined, the legrest is fully extended and the footrest is fully extended. The same applies to the return of the seat in the fully upright position, the backrest is upright and the legrest and the footrest in their respective rest positions, ie storage positions, stand. The passenger must decide whether each moving part of the seat is in his desired position and if not, he must indi can be set individually by finding and pressing the appropriate button or the respective dial. Of course that is impractical.

The DE A 37 18 645 discloses a component of a chair, which comprises a main body, the one with a seat and a back is, can be placed on a stand and holds a legrest. The leg support has a joint in a front area and is between a nearly aligned with the seat unfolded end position and one piece at a time under the seat folded end position rotatable. The legrest consists of one on the body articulated thigh support and one articulated on the thigh support stored footrest. With Help of interconnected drive and power transmission means the thigh and footrests are in two end positions and fold out.

OVERVIEW THE INVENTION

With This invention is an improved vehicle seat and an improved Control of a vehicle seat can be realized.

Accordingly, this invention provides a vehicle seat for use in a vehicle having a floor consisting of
a thigh support, each having a front and a rear portion;
a backrest which is associated with the rear portion of the thigh support and which is movable between an upright and an inclined position;
a leg support having a forward end associated with the front portion of the thigh support and a free end, the leg support being movable between a leg rest position and an extended leg rest position;
a footrest connected to the legrest and movable between a foot rest position and an extended foot rest position;
characterized in that, when the legrest is inclined at a greater than predetermined angle to the leg rest position, the footrest is movable independently of the position of the legrest, and that an electrical control is provided which acts in its function at least on the legrest to monitor the position of the leg rest position and to control the movement of at least one leg rest and foot rest depending therefrom, in order to prevent the foot rest from falling on the ground.

Further, this invention provides a method of controlling a vehicle seat mounted on a floor, the vehicle seat having a pivotal legrest, a first actuator connected to the legrest, a footrest connected to the legrest, a second actuator which is connected to the footrest and has an electronic control. This procedure consists of the following steps:
monitoring an actual position of the footrest and an actual position of the legrest;
outputting a signal to the controller that corresponds to the foot rest position as well as the current leg rest position;
determining if the footrest will collapse onto the floor in response to at least one leg rest movement from the leg rest position and the foot rest movement from the foot rest position
and moving the footrest from the current position to a set position in response to a determination that the footrest will contact the floor.

A preferred embodiment monitored the invention the respective positions of the leg and footrest and moves the footrest in one Position in which she does not hit the floor when moving the legrest or prevents the movement of the legrest in a way that is for burping the prop lead to the ground would. Another version is arranged so that the Backrest and leg support be adjusted so that the seat responsive to the operation of a single switch by the user, either in the sleeping position or in the upright position Position is located.

The preferred form of the invention provides a vehicle seat, the prevents the Footrest on the bottom bumps, if the legrest is put into its rest position. The vehicle seat can automatically enter the Sleep position or the upright position, if one single key pressed becomes.

The preferred embodiment of the invention offers a number of advantages over the prior art. For example, this vehicle seat prevents the footrest from being pressed against the ground when the legrest is lowered. Consequently, damage to the seat is prevented, which reduces the costs associated with the repair or replacement of the seat accordingly. Further, this invention is easier to use by passengers. Passengers do not have to retract the footrest until they return the legrest to the rest position. The seat takes these steps by itself. Further, passengers can easily move the seat, regardless of its current position, to the sleeping position or the upright position, using only one button to press. Thus, passengers need not first determine which moving parts of the seat must be adjusted or find the appropriate operating buttons to make the desired adjustment. The above-described and many other features and advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated by a better understanding of the invention. This will be brought about by the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

OVERVIEW OF THE DRAWINGS

The details explanation the preferred embodiments The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows / shows:

1 a side view of the internal structure of a vehicle seat according to a preferred embodiment of this invention.

2 a block diagram of a controller, which together with the in 1 shown vehicle seat can be used.

3 a plan view of a control panel user interface according to this invention.

4 a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the circuit of a control panel.

5 a circuit diagram of another embodiment of the circuit of a control panel.

6 a schematic representation of a legrest and a position sensor according to this invention.

7 a flow chart showing the function of a vehicle seat according to one aspect of this invention.

8a and 8b Sequence tables showing the function of a vehicle seat according to further aspects of this invention.

MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

following appears closer Description of a preferred embodiment of this invention. These Description is in no way intended to be limiting, but is intended to be illustrative the general principles this invention. The scope of the invention will be apparent from the appended claims.

An example of the internal aspects of a vehicle seat according to this invention appears in FIG 1 , The exemplary seat commonly associated with 10 is numbered, preferably includes the legs 11a and 11b , a thigh support 12 , a backrest 14 , a legrest 16 as well as a footrest 18 , The backrest 14 is pivoting on the thigh support 12 at joint point 20 attached to the thigh support at the back. The backrest includes a lever arm 22 who is about to job 20 to turn. One side of an actor 26 is pivoting on the lever arm 22 and the other one 28 swiveling on a part of the thigh support 12 attached. An actuation of the actuator 26 moves the backrest 14 between the solid line (fully upright) and the dashed line (fully tilted position).

As a further example 1 shows, is the legrest 16 pivotable at a joint point 39 at the front of the thigh support 12 attached. The legrest includes a lever arm 32 who is about to job 30 can be turned. A page 34 an actor 36 is pivotable with the lever arm 32 and the other side 38 rotatable with a part of the thigh support 12 connected. Actuation of the actuator 36 moves the legrest 16 between the solid line (the mostly vertical rest position) and the dashed line (the fully extended position). On the free side of the legrest 16 is the footrest 18 , The footrest includes an actuator 40 which is connected to a part of the legrest. The actor 40 Moves the footrest between the retracted (solid line) and the fully extended (dashed line) position. As mentioned above, when a passenger has the opportunity to move the legrest toward the rest position of the legrest while the footrest is in the extended (dashed line) position, the footrest abuts the floor before the legrest reaches the rest position , which damages the seat.

The exemplary vehicle seat may also be a lumbar support 42 Provide with the backrest 14 connected is. This lumbar support 42 It can perform two different movements, ie it can move up and down along the length of the backrest and towards and away from the backrest. Two actuators 44 and 46 (please refer 2 ) can be used to induce these movements.

The actuators described above are preferably of the helical and idler type. The idler is normally a nut attached to the moving part of the seat while the screw is driven by an electric motor. However, this invention is not limited to such actuators. Other actuators can be used who the. Such actuators include, but are not limited to, hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangements.

An embodiment of a system for adjusting the position of a Farnzeugsitzes such. B. of the in 1 seat, now with reference to 2 - 8th described in more detail. As 2 in the diagram, the system includes a control panel 48 that work with a central processor 50 connected is. The central processor 50 In turn, with the actuator of the backrest 26 , the actuator of the legrest 36 , the actuator of the footrest 40 and the backrest actuators 44 and 46 connected. A number of position sensors 52 . 54 . 56 . 58 and 60 , which are each connected to the backrest, the legrest, the footrest and both aspects of the lumbar support, are also integrated into the central processor. The position sensors will be described in more detail below.

Regarding 3 there appears the user interface of the exemplary control panel with 12 keys arranged as six pairs. The button's 62a and 62b correspond to the movement of the backrest 14 , The button's 64a and 64b correspond to the movement of the legrest 16 , The button's 66a and 66b correspond to the movement of the footrest 18 , The button's 68a and 68b correspond to the up / down movement of the lumbar support. The button's 70a and 70b correspond to the in / out movement of the lumbar support. The button's 72a and 72b correspond to the upright position and the sleep position function, which are explained in more detail below. Each of these switches is preferably connected to a single pull, throw or toggle switch with spring return. These switches return to their open position when the appropriate button is released. For security reasons, these are preferred by airlines. When using this switch type, the movement of the seat part comes to a standstill as soon as the passenger releases the respective button again. The control panel can also be powered by a light source 74 be illuminated.

Of course it is the 2-button design per moving element is not an absolute requirement for this Invention and can be replaced by any suitable alternatives become. For example, a 3-position lever can be used instead of each pair of buttons be the one who has the ability owns the two switches that activate a specific mobile Part of the seat. Next changes the arrangement of Control panel when the number of moving parts of the seat changed becomes. Next you can other interfaces are used, such. B. touch screens or language-activated systems with corresponding modifications the circuits are connected.

An example of a circuit that the switches of the control panel to the central processor 50 connects, goes out 4 out. Each of the 12 switches (identified as SW1-SW12) performs an individual function. Thus, closing switch SW1 initiates the central processor to raise the legrest while closing SW2 causes the central processor to lower the legrest. Each switch of the SW1-SW12 series has an associated resistor (numbered R101-R112). Each of these resistors has a different resistance value. Examples of resistances appear in 4 , Pressing a key (or keys) and closing the associated switch (or switch) will change the circuit resistance. While a constant voltage is applied to the circuit, the power output varies, closing one or more switches. This power can be used to determine the key or key combination that was pressed. Accordingly, the central processor activates 50 the respective actuators in the desired direction.

Alternatively, the control panel circuit may simply connect each of the switches to a terminal, such as a switch. A 50-pin connector that is itself connected to the central processor. Such a circuit goes out 5 out. The switches SW1'-SW12 'are each provided with a 50-pin connector 76 connected to the central processor. When the central processor detects that a switch has been closed due to the actuation of a key, the applicable actuator is moved in the desired direction.

As already mentioned, position sensors 52 . 54 . 56 . 58 and 60 provided, which recognize the position of the movable seat parts. With regard to the backrest, footrest and lumbar supports, the position sensors can 52 . 56 . 58 and 60 u. U. may consist of a pair of on / off switches with the central processor 50 are connected. A switch is turned on and sends an "ON" signal to the central processor when the applicable actuator is fully extended, the other switch is turned on and sends an "ON" signal to the central processor when the actuator is fully retracted. Thus, the central processor can determine if the backrest, footrest and lumbar supports are fully extended / tilted, retracted or anywhere in between.

With reference to the position sensors of the legrest 54 For example, the preferred embodiment may provide a cam and a switch as they are made 6 emerge, with which the angle of the legrest can be determined. The end of the legrest 16 at the joint site 30 includes an eccentric nice surface 78 , The eccentric surface engages in an on / off switch 80 when the legrest is at a fixed angle of θ or less. In the engaged state, the sensor generates an "on" signal which is transmitted to the central processor, the angle θ being slightly greater than the angle at which the footrest hits the floor of the vehicle when fully extended bring the legrest movement to a halt and / or retract the footrest before it hits the ground, as described below.

It It should be noted that the above described arrangement of the sensors of the on / off switch type by any Arrangement can be replaced, which detects the position of the seat parts. For example, the central processor can be uninterrupted Tracking the position of the various movable seat elements be used, which is a function of the previously described Input signals is. The rotation of the actuator screws can also be monitored become. Next you can optical sensors are used.

According to this invention, the central processor 50 also for automatic retraction of the footrest 18 , in response to an attempt by the passenger, the leg rest 16 to be set at an angle of θ or smaller while the footrest is extended. To perform this function, the central processor can be used to monitor the seat functions in the following manner. The program is preferably stored in the firmware of the central processor. With reference to the numbered elements in 7 the central processor determines in block 100 whether the "leg rest down" button 64b is pressed. When the key is pressed, the central processor checks in block 110 whether the footrest 18 is in the fully retracted position. This can be done, for example, by determining whether an "ON" signal from the appropriate on / off switch in the sensor 56 pending. When the footrest is in the retracted position, the central processor drives the actuator 36 the leg rest in the appropriate direction (see block 150 ). If the footrest is not retracted, the central processor checks in block 120 whether the legrest is at an angle of at most θ. If not, the central processor drives the actuator 36 the legrest in the true direction. However, if the legrest is aligned in this way, the central processor drives the actuator 36 the leg rest does not (or stops the drive of the actuator when it is already being driven) and drives the actuator instead 40 the footrest to the retracted position (see block 130 ). This process continues until the footrest is fully retracted (see block 140 ). Thereafter, further pushing the "leg rest down" button causes the central processor to drive the leg rest actuator to the retracted position (see block 150 ). Consequently, this invention prevents the mentioned damage to the vehicle seat, which would be caused by belching of the footrest on the ground.

The o. g. Procedure can be modify in various ways without departing from the spirit of this invention departing. So must the Central processor, for example, the legrest not necessarily to a standstill bring to feed the footrest. Instead, the footrest can be retracted, while the legrest goes past angle θ, as long as the relative speeds of the associated actuators a belching prevent the footrest. additionally can, when the footrest is so sized is, that you may be partially extended when the legrest in the Rest position is the already described on / off sensors be replaced by sensors with which the angular position of leg support and the extent, too the footrest extended is permanently tracked. For any combination of the angular position of the legrest and any extent of stretching the footrest can the central processor will then calculate if the footrest needs to be retracted or not a belching to avoid the ground.

These Invention can also be used to passengers on an actuation of the Prevent footrest, if such an operation to the belching the footrest on lead the ground would. The let yourself in different ways. So For example, the central processor can easily prevent the footrest at all is extended when the legrest at an angle of θ or smaller located. Where an uninterrupted monitoring of the angular position the legrest as well as the extent to which the footrest extended is possible is, the central processor can calculate the extent to which the footrest extended can stay on without having the legrest at a given angle to open the ground. Then every further extension is prevented.

According to a further aspect of this invention, the central processor can be used to seat in a fully reclined sleeping position, which in FIG 1 appears as a dashed line or to move to a fully upright position, which appears as a solid line, the processor can respond to a single keystroke. As an example 8a The central processor determines 50 when the sleep button 72b is pressed (block 200 ), whether the backrest 14 completely inclined, the legrest 16 fully extended and, where available, the footrest 18 is fully extended, ie whether the Seat is located in the sleeping position (see blocks 210 . 220 and 230 ). The respective positions of the backrest, the legrest and the footrest can be determined in the manner described above. If any part of the seat is not set as expected in the sleeping position, the central processor drives the respective actuator according to these requirements (see blocks 240 . 250 and 260 ) at. Further, damage to the footrest in a similar manner as with respect 7 has been explained.

As exemplified in 8b is displayed, determines the central processor 50 if the uprights button 72a is pressed, whether the backrest 14 in the fully upright position) the legrest 16 at rest and the footrest 18 where available, in the fully retracted position, ie, whether the seat is upright (see blocks 310 . 320 and 330 ). The respective positions of the backrest, the legrest and the footrest can be determined in the manner described above. If any part of the seat is not in the correct upright position, the central processor operates the respective actuator according to these requirements (see blocks 349 . 350 and 360 ). Next can be in terms of block 360 damaging the footrest in a similar way to that above 7 described, avoid.

Even though this invention has been illustrated with reference to preferred embodiments, Many different modifications and / or extensions can be made the o. g. versions to be carried out by a specialist. The scope of this invention is intended to cover all such modifications and / or Consider extensions with and is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims (9)

A vehicle seat for vehicles with a floor, comprising: a thigh support ( 12 ) each having a front and a rear portion; a backrest ( 14 ) connected to the posterior portion of the thigh support ( 12 ) and which can be moved between an upright and an inclined position; a legrest ( 16 ) with a front end that matches the front portion of the thigh support ( 12 ) and a free end, the legrest being movable between a leg rest position and an extended leg rest position; a footrest ( 18 ) with the legrest ( 16 ) and can be moved between a Fußruhestellung and an extended Fußruhestellung; characterized in that an electrical control is provided, the functionally at least on the legrest ( 16 ) to monitor the position of the leg rest position to prevent the foot rest from buckling to the ground. A vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a first position sensor (10). 52 ), with the legrest ( 16 ) and a second position sensor ( 56 ), which with the footrest ( 18 ). A vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the first position sensor ( 52 ) the angular position of the legrest ( 16 ) and the second position sensor ( 56 ) determines a distance in which the footrest ( 18 ) at a distance from the free end of the legrest ( 16 ) is located. A vehicle seat according to at least one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein: the controller is adapted to adjust the current position of the footrest ( 18 ), determines whether the footrest ( 18 ) in the current position on the ground, when the legrest ( 16 ) is moved in the direction of the leg rest position and the movement of the legrest ( 16 ), in response to determining whether the footrest ( 18 ) will hit the ground when the leg rest moves toward the leg rest position. A vehicle seat according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein: the controller is adapted to adjust the current position of the footrest ( 18 ), determines whether the footrest ( 18 ) in the current position on the ground, when the legrest ( 16 ) moves in the direction of the leg rest position and the footrest ( 18 ), in response to determining whether the footrest ( 18 ) will hit the ground when the legrest ( 16 ) is moved in the direction of the leg rest position, moved in the direction of the foot rest position. A vehicle seat according to one of the above-mentioned claims 1 to 5, wherein the controller has a first actuator ( 36 ), with the legrest ( 16 ), a second actuator ( 40 ), with the footrest ( 18 ) and an electronic switching device ( 50 ) operatively associated with the first and second actuators ( 36 . 40 ) connected is. A vehicle seat according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and second actuators ( 36 . 40 ) has a worm drive and follower. A procedure of controlling a vehicle seat ( 10 ), which is placed on a floor, wherein the vehicle seat a pivoting legrest ( 16 ), a first actor ( 36 ), with the leg support, a footrest ( 18 ) with the legrest ( 16 ), a second actuator ( 40 ), with the footrest ( 18 ) and an electronic controller ( 50 ) having. This procedure consists of the following steps: Monitoring an actual position of the footrest ( 18 ) And an actual position of the legrest ( 16 ); Output of a signal to the controller ( 50 ) that corresponds to the resting foot and the current leg rest; Determine if the footrest ( 18 ) in response to at least one movement of the legrest ( 16 ) from the leg resting position and the movement of the footrest ( 18 ) from the rest of your feet, the floor will collapse and moving the footrest ( 18 ) from the actual position to a fixed position, in response to a statement that the footrest ( 18 ) will touch the ground. A method of controlling a vehicle seat according to claim 8, wherein the step of moving the footrest ( 18 ) comprises the following steps: generating a motion signal by the control and drive of the footrest ( 18 ) in the fixed position with the second actuator, in response to the motion signal.